LDS lends helping hand to Monroe

More than 175 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with church members from around California for the fifth annual Mormon Helping Hands. The local project was the cleanup of James Monroe Middle School.

More than 175 members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with church members from around California for the fifth annual Mormon Helping Hands. The local project was the cleanup of James Monroe Middle School.

"We had six different activities going on," local organizer Arlene Decker said.

She said the activities included washing windows, removing gum, weeding and gardening, removing trash, painting the basketball poles, cleaning the mats in the gym, and cleaning the restrooms and the stage.

"We also had three people on power washers, and they power-washed the bleachers and the outsides of the stucco buildings so they look nice," she said.

Decker said the local church chose Monroe because it wanted a common area that was contained where families could participate and children would be safe.

"We talked about going out into the community and doing areas that may be a little more visible, but because we had young children, we wanted to make sure they would be in a safe situation," she said.

She said Antelope Valley District Public Affairs Director Mike Larsen visited the local project.